KHQ.COM - The 2014 “Freezin for a Reason” was a huge success! 42 jumpers all with supporting sponsors took the plunge in the Kootenai River and raised over $7300.00 for Special Olympics.Several of the local Special Olympic Athletes were on hand to cheer the jumpers, and wore their bright green jackets that were purchased by Bonners Ferry Rotary. The plungers all survived their moment of chill and some dressed in costumes as well. It was a tough decision by the panel of judges to pick winners for first, second and third place costume as well as a spirit award. Anika Blackmore, Chief Louie from the lower Kootenay Band in Canada, and Sheriff Greg Sprungl were the judges who decided the winners.

South Boundary Fire District team took First place in the costume, as all the male members were "dressed" up, The second place costume award went to "The Redneck team" Tim Kerstions and Mason McGinnis who jumped in the river wearing camo gillie suits, and third place costume went to Marci V. who went as a "Bride in Wading". The Spirit award went to the Distinguished Young Women team that showed up in force with a very positive attitude, the Judges choice award went to Hannah Fields, and the most money raised award was presented to Dorey Rowland.

Rubber Penguins were sold for a donation of $5, and one of the Penguins was plucked from a kiddy pool with the winner receiving a 50/50 split of the money raised from the sale of the Penguins. Search and Rescue member Bart Camps was the lucky winner, who also donated a large portion of his winnings back to Special Olympics.

This event would not have been possible without the support of the community and plungers. A special thanks goes to Super One Foods and Safeway for providing the food and dishes, Sue Wilson for the coffee and award prizes, Helping Hands of Naples for the tasty snacks and Wal-Mart for the gift card, and all of those who made pledges or donated to the event.

A special thanks also goes to the MC for the event, Mike Meier, Boundary County PIO and Boundary Search and Dive Rescue, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance for helping with safety at the event.

LOOK at the hundreds of photos taken at this event and share with your friends!

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you’ve driven down 37th Avenue between Grand and Perry on Spokane’s South Hill, you’ve probably seen a sign that reads “What are you grateful for today?” Trevor Finchamp hung the sign on his tree in his front yard earlier this summer. “I think when someone drives by they get a quick glimpse of it on this street,” said Finchamp. “But maybe that thought sticks in their heads for a couple minutes and gives them

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you’ve driven down 37th Avenue between Grand and Perry on Spokane’s South Hill, you’ve probably seen a sign that reads “What are you grateful for today?” Trevor Finchamp hung the sign on his tree in his front yard earlier this summer. “I think when someone drives by they get a quick glimpse of it on this street,” said Finchamp. “But maybe that thought sticks in their heads for a couple minutes and gives them

ATHOL, Idaho - So many of us are dreading winter, but likely nothing like one North Idaho family. Last winter, their roof began to leak causing caused flooding and countless sleepless nights. The family said they were getting nowhere on their own until they said, Help me Hayley. "You do anything for your kids," Karen Jensen said. Karen's daughter Leslie is in her late 40's, but as so many mothers can relate to, she'll always be her baby. "More than

ATHOL, Idaho - So many of us are dreading winter, but likely nothing like one North Idaho family. Last winter, their roof began to leak causing caused flooding and countless sleepless nights. The family said they were getting nowhere on their own until they said, Help me Hayley. "You do anything for your kids," Karen Jensen said. Karen's daughter Leslie is in her late 40's, but as so many mothers can relate to, she'll always be her baby. "More than

SPOKANE, Wash. - A woman and her child are continuing to recover after being sent to the hospital Wednesday night when they got hit by a car in a Costco parking lot. The two were initially trapped under the vehicle. Though the case is still under investigation, we wanted to know, what makes a parking lot safe? Gordon Meth, a transportation Engineer with Robson Forensic says the bigger the shopping center, the greater the risks. Consider

SPOKANE, Wash. - A woman and her child are continuing to recover after being sent to the hospital Wednesday night when they got hit by a car in a Costco parking lot. The two were initially trapped under the vehicle. Though the case is still under investigation, we wanted to know, what makes a parking lot safe? Gordon Meth, a transportation Engineer with Robson Forensic says the bigger the shopping center, the greater the risks. Consider

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Eastern Idaho officials say two rabid bats were recently found in Idaho Falls and Swan Valley. According to an Eastern Idaho Public Health news release, bats are the only animal in the state known to be natural carriers of the potentially fatal virus. Epidemiologist Ken Anderson says rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals that have been bitten, scratched or come in close contact with an infected bat.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Eastern Idaho officials say two rabid bats were recently found in Idaho Falls and Swan Valley. According to an Eastern Idaho Public Health news release, bats are the only animal in the state known to be natural carriers of the potentially fatal virus. Epidemiologist Ken Anderson says rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals that have been bitten, scratched or come in close contact with an infected bat.

SPOKANE, Wash. - While summer is still surrounding us, the inevitable changing of the seasons isn't too far away. The City of Spokane Street Department is working to finalize updates to its Snow Response Plan ahead of the first snowfall. The city says it's committed to making changes to the plan following last year's heavy snowfall and the concerns about how it addressed the snow. According to the city, citizens will see: More plowing,

SPOKANE, Wash. - While summer is still surrounding us, the inevitable changing of the seasons isn't too far away. The City of Spokane Street Department is working to finalize updates to its Snow Response Plan ahead of the first snowfall. The city says it's committed to making changes to the plan following last year's heavy snowfall and the concerns about how it addressed the snow. According to the city, citizens will see: More plowing,

So it begins. We are just a few short days away from the 2017 solar eclipse. T-minus 3 days, to be exact. The anticipation for the eclipse may actually *eclipse* the actual event with traffic jams and fuel shortages. Traffic to the path of totality has become a total fiasco. The Oregon Department of Transportation says it might be the most traffic the state has ever seen. So what better way to pass the time while you wait for traffic to dissipate? Take a selfie, o...

So it begins. We are just a few short days away from the 2017 solar eclipse. T-minus 3 days, to be exact. The anticipation for the eclipse may actually *eclipse* the actual event with traffic jams and fuel shortages. Traffic to the path of totality has become a total fiasco. The Oregon Department of Transportation says it might be the most traffic the state has ever seen. So what better way to pass the time while you wait for traffic to dissipate? Take a selfie, o...

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you didn't get a chance to snag a pair of eclipse glasses, there's a different way you can still view the eclipse. It's called a pinhole projector, and it's a fun arts and crafts project you can do with your kids at home. All you need is an old cereal box, scissors, a white sheet of paper, tape and aluminum foil. Here's more information here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-pinhole-projector-view-solar-eclipse

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you didn't get a chance to snag a pair of eclipse glasses, there's a different way you can still view the eclipse. It's called a pinhole projector, and it's a fun arts and crafts project you can do with your kids at home. All you need is an old cereal box, scissors, a white sheet of paper, tape and aluminum foil. Here's more information here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-pinhole-projector-view-solar-eclipse

SPOKANE, Wash. - As we all know, solar eclipses have been going on since the beginning of time. Naturally, some myths formed to make sense of some things that may have happened. But NASA wants to correct these misconceptions using science. The first myth is that "if you're pregnant, you shouldn't watch the eclipse because it could harm your baby." NASA says there's no truth to that. This is related to the idea that there is harmful radiation emitted during an eclipse.

SPOKANE, Wash. - As we all know, solar eclipses have been going on since the beginning of time. Naturally, some myths formed to make sense of some things that may have happened. But NASA wants to correct these misconceptions using science. The first myth is that "if you're pregnant, you shouldn't watch the eclipse because it could harm your baby." NASA says there's no truth to that. This is related to the idea that there is harmful radiation emitted during an eclipse.

JACKSON, N.H. (AP) - Maybe these golfers in New Hampshire didn't yell "fore" but they might have considered "llama on the links." Golfers at Eagle Mountain Golf Course in Jackson were joined Monday on the sixth fairway by a llama that escaped from his pen about 2 miles (over 3 kilometers) through some woods. The Conway Daily Sun reports that the pack animal, named Noir, was friendly and got in pictures with the golfers. The fugitive is

JACKSON, N.H. (AP) - Maybe these golfers in New Hampshire didn't yell "fore" but they might have considered "llama on the links." Golfers at Eagle Mountain Golf Course in Jackson were joined Monday on the sixth fairway by a llama that escaped from his pen about 2 miles (over 3 kilometers) through some woods. The Conway Daily Sun reports that the pack animal, named Noir, was friendly and got in pictures with the golfers. The fugitive is